Marion Grainger - 17/07/1919 - 07/12/2009

[Rob Gee]

My Gran, Marion, 90 years of age, sadly passed away last night after a short serious illness.

Marion started going to Villa Park around 50 years ago when my Grandad passed away.

My Grandad was 2nd generation Villa (unsurprisingly since we were only founded in 1874, 40 years before he was born) and he had very strong links to The Villa. My Gran used to tell some fantastic stories about my Grandad following The Villa, my favourite being when he took my mum down to queue for the 1957 FA Cup Final. He left the dog in the car and when they got back found he'd escaped. My gran still describes him coming home having to break the bad news to her but grinning the whole time because he'd got all the tickets he needed for the match!

Anyway, when my Grandad passed my Gran immediately took up the responsibility of taking my Mum to Villa Park week in week out as my Grandad had done for years. It didn't take long until she'd fallen in love with the club almost as much and she retained her season ticket long after my Mum was old enough to go on her own and she continued to come to Villa Park until the very last day that she was able to attend games in relative comfort.

My Gran took me to my first game and we sat in the old Witton Lane stand with the wooden seats and the stenciled white numbers, it wasn't long before I had a season ticket of my own. We moved to The North Stand when Witton was being rebuilt and returned as soon as they opened the upper tier. I used to get some stick from mates at school for going to the Villa every other week with my Gran and my Mum (my dad is of all things a Bluenose!) but looking back I wouldn't have had it any other way.

So, to my Gran, thanks for putting me on the right path and an even bigger thanks for making the journey so much fun.

RIP - Up The Villa

[DBTW]

RIP Marion, a true Villain

[Mac]

My thoughts are with you Rob.

[villajk]

Sorry to hear about you Gran, Rob.  Our thoughts are with you.

[usav]

RIP.

[Dr Butler]

Sorry to hear about your loss Rob, she sounds like a grand old girl.
I know how you are feeling mate as I have just recently lost my father (see post below)

RIP

The Doc

[Olneythelonely]

Sorry to hear that Rob, a Gran with tremendous taste.

[Brend'Watkins]

That's a nice story Rob, what a great lady.

[SteveN]

Sorry to hear your sad news - she sounded like the perfect gran, God bless her.

[Rob Gee]

Thanks for all your kind words. Funeral today and Villa Park was mentioned more than once during the service.

RIP Granny Grainger.

[villa1]

Feel for ya mate.

My first match was in the old Trinity Road stand on the wooden benches too. Can still remember it to this day.

[evalast1910]

RIP.

[villan66]

Sorry to hear of your families loss Rob. She sounds like she was a great woman. R I P

[Guy M]

A lovely story, Rob. Thanks for sharing it with us and please accept my condolences in return.

My Nan passed away at the end of October (after a long and increasingly painful illness) and for various reasons, we couldn't have the funeral until early December. She never had any interest in football but at the funeral, we were able to share stories of some of the good times we'd had and it sounds as tho you'll have done the same.

[tonyh]

Rob, Did your gran used to sit in the middle trinity about in line with the 18 yard box?
I always remember an elderly lady sitting there with, I had supposed, was her son? was this you and irregardless belated condolences.